submitted by Jenny Gaden, CCBC Compiler
The 2018 Charlottesville Christmas Bird Count took place on December 16. The weather was mild (between 45 and 50 degrees F), overcast with occasional showers. We had 52 participants, including a group of young birders who have agreed to continue to participate in future years covering a route south of town. Two rare birds were reported: the Horned Grebe by Leigh Surdukowski and her group, and a Baltimore Oriole by Betty Mooney. This bird is a steady guest at her feeders. A total of 74 species was reported.
Nancy O’Brien once again opened her house to us for the potluck following the count. For this we are always most grateful. Jenny Gaden, compiler, recommended that the Charlottesville CBC circle be divided into eight sectors for better coverage of the entire circle. This is what most circles our size do. Those present agreed to this plan. Each sector has a captain. The map showing the sectors is posted on the MBC website, as are the names of the sector captains. They are:
Sector 1, Allen Hale
Sector 2, Peter Mehring
Sector 3, Janet Paisley
Sector 4, Gretchen Gherett and John Rowlett
Sector 5, Jim Childress
Sector 6, Guy and Susan Babineau
Sector 7, Leigh Surdukowski
Sector 8, Lou Tanner
We greatly appreciate their ready willingness to help.
The following species were reported:
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
American Black Duck
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Wild Turkey
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Woodcock
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Eastern Screech Owl
Barred Owl
Belted Kingfisher
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
American Kestrel
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole
House Finch
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
